Red-Eye’s Git-N-Messy Smokehouse & Tavern will bring its brand of Southern smoked barbecue to Henry’s Depot at Sanford food hall in October 2021 according to partner Chris Poulos. The brand’s first location in Winter Springs has been open since 2017.
Situated at 212 W. 1st Street in Sanford, Florida, the new restaurant will serve as a test for possible franchising opportunities in the future.
“We’ve been talking about franchising barbecue outlets,” said Poulos. “This will be the perfect proof of concept that this will work.”
Poulos, who as been in the hospitality industry for 40 years, said that Red-Eye’s didn’t start out in the barbecue business. The concept was initially a sports bar and tavern.
“During the pandemic, we started thinking we have to do something different. The world’s changing.”
That’s when Red-Eye’s brought on the late Chuck Cobb, whose creations will continue to feature prominently on the menu, with Pit Master Will O’Neal to carry on the tradition. Trained by Cobb himself and with his own culinary background, O’Neal launched Git-N-Messy barbecue to be voted Best BBQ in Orlando by Critics Choice in 2021.
“We’re old-school,” said Poulos. “Our meat is cooked from a smoker by a pit master.”
To begin, the menu in Sanford will be limited to pulled pork, ribs, sliders, brisket and sides, such as mac & cheese, beans, coleslaw, smoked wings, and Bavarian pretzels with cheese sauce. Offerings will increase going forward.
Poulos said that he and his partners are looking to open one additional restaurant before they involve investors in their plans for 10 to 20 franchise locations.
“Similar to what Mark [Setterington] has done with Island Fin Poké [Company],” said Poulos. “This is a good model for mom-and-pop businesses because each location only requires 300-500 square feet of space, and there’s minimal prep work.”
